prijava
NEUM, April 27 (FENA) - One of the key recommendations of the three-day Energy Summit in Neum, which ended today, is the adoption of the state-level energy sector reform strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the more active work of executive and legislative power on the reform through the implementation of existing strategic documents.
Among other things, the participants concluded that the independence of regulatory commissions is crucial for a stable and transparent energy sector, and that the regulatory commissions should play an active role and should be given competences in energy efficiency.
Another recommendation from energy sector experts is that BiH, on the road to a self-sustainable energy sector, should give priority to energy efficiency, reduction of emissions, renewable energy sources and natural gas as the fuel of transition.
Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, Mirko Šarović addressed the journalists and warned that there has been a delay in the energy sector in BiH and that the progress has been rather slow.
“When it comes to reforms, this year is lost and we probably will not do anything significant, and similar scenario awaits us in the first half of the next year,” said the minister.
As he said, BiH has preconditions to be a leader in this sector in the region, but it is quite clear that our country is not seen as a regional partner, but as a regional problem.
“There is very little talk about the upcoming high-level meeting in London in July, where an agreement on infrastructure and energy is expected.
However, it is obvious that this summit, as did the previous ones, will be held without our presence," said Šarović.
Deputy Director of USAID EIA Project Mak Kamenica believes that the governments and parliaments should start working on making the energy sector more transparent and favorable for investors.
“First of all, BiH needs to improve the efficiency of the procedures for obtaining permits for energy facilities, increase knowledge in the administration, and prepare investors for investments through clear guidelines,” said Kamenica.
(FENA) S. R.
